Thursday, July 4, 2013

I started this dress (HP 1138 Metropolitan Verano) before that day which shall not be named and finally got around to finishing it up two weekends ago. I wore it to where I'm working temporarily and received compliments, which was nice. (It *is* a nice group of people in this office, and I have no complaints about personnel.)

It's an easy-to-sew dress but before I'd make it again, it needs some tweaks. Specifically, around the neckline and facings. HP necklines and facings are always hit or miss with me, and usually miss. I blame it on the drafting software they use since the home sewer version (PMB) always gave me the same problems without manual finessing. I used a lazy fix here and just took two darts in the back. Even if you could see them through the print, no one else would ever know they are a kludge fix and not a feature so I'm not going to worry about it. The front facing wants to roll outward on the hanger but seems to be OK when I'm actually wearing the dress but I did force it by stitching it down in the ditch of the CF seam.

It is a super-comfy dress to wear, and I'm sure it will get a lot of rotation during the summer months. In fact, I'll probably wear it tomorrow with flats for "casual Friday." I still don't like doing jeans in an office, especially in Florida summer so it's dresses and skirts for me.

I'm off today and not liking it because as a temp, it's not a paid holiday but instead of vegging all day, I started Butterick 5749.

I'm using this ITY knit, purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics while I still had money for fabric shopping.

I hope it works out because I love the print, but I didn't do any muslin-ing so it will be a crap shoot. I did add two inches to the skirt length after reading reviews but I'm worried it may still be too short. I also didn't follow the cutting layout and instead cut the pattern pieces as they would fit so I would have enough fabric for them. I may be proved wrong when it's sewn up, but I couldn't see much point in cutting knit pieces on the bias even with more fabric, especially when those pieces seemed to need to be cut with stretch. Cutting this pattern was a pain, I won't lie. Single layer and pieces that were wider than my cutting table. But I pressed on and it's all cut out now and actually started some stitching. I'm not sure how much more will be done tonight since dinner is almost ready (Go Alex for grilling for all of us!), the dogs still need their walk before fireworks take over, and I've been hitting the bed earlier than my usual night owl self. I blame my increased need for sleep on a combination of depressed mood and a wicked sciatic nerve that's been KILLING me for a couple of weeks now and a diet of Advil makes me drowsy early.

Please no preaching about my depression comment. I appreciate concern, but it's perfectly normal to feel depressed in my current situation. It's not ruling my life and I know things could always be worse, but until things are better, I'm just not going to feel as happy as I usually do. Life has ups and downs. I'm in a down. I'm dealing with it. I have no choice. ;-)

I'm glad to see you post again. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished post. I have this pattern and haven't made it, but I'm often inspired by something you've posted so maybe it will move forward on my list.

Glad you checked in, I've been concerned. Also happy that, as Carolyn said, you've invested in a fabric collection. Nothing like going to your sewing area in socks and a t-shirt and being able to start something. I think the new dress will be great (and yes, who wears jeans in Fla in July? Nobody.)

Happy July 4th. Lovely dress and glad to see you posting. You are not alone, my sciatica has me downing 800mg ib and not sure how much more my stomache can take. Feel better.. off to put on the heating pad.

Debbie--have been away for a while and was surprised to see that you are working temp again...what happened? I know things will work out well for you. I've had a terrible time secondary to a relationship with a man I found out is an ex-con. Have never been so shocked in my life. Now I feel really stupid...I'm sure you don't feel like that about yourself!

I love both of those knits. Your sewing always has a way of making me take a second look at a pattern I never considered up to that point. Hope things take a turn upward soon. They will, been there, and I lived to tell about it. Sewing is a great way to leave negative thoughts outside the door for awhile, and you have something to show for it at the end!

Sciatica? Usually, that's just piriformis syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndromeHere are some very, very good stretches for it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip0xXylORVM what he's not emphasizing enough is concentrating on keeping your hips level (with each other) while you're doing them. Might hurt like hell while you're doing them, but should be all fixed up right away :-).Nice dress too :-). But watch what you say about work, compliments about personnel make it sound like other things are not so together.

It's so good to see you sewing again! I love the prints you use, but can't seem to make print projects for myself. About the depression....breathe in, breathe out. Keep on keepin' on. Life's downs lead to ups. (ok I'm running out of slogans :-) )

Like the others, I'm pleased to see you're back to sewing and posting. Continuing to hope that things look up for you...!

I cut almost all of my knits as a single layer. Too much shifting and squirming of the underlayer tends to leave one half slightly wider than the other. Another plus of the single layout, I can also check much more easily if I have a floral bullseye on the bust or center belly.

Glad to see you sewing and posting again. Good luck with the job search. Also want to thank you for your post on the FBA with a raglan sleeve. I just found it last week when I needed it. I think you are the only one who has this posted.

Thanks for posting. Sew very glad to see you are in therapy (sewing) again. I check your blog every day, pleased to see your post.Love the happy print you sewed up and the next pattern, too. You sew inspire me.

I've gone through some rough employment patches the last few years, so I know what you're talking about. The up side of my oversized fabric stash was that it took me through some dry spells and sewing took my mind off my troubles (temporarily). At this point, even my fabric scraps are organized for quilt projects.

Thank goodness you are posting. I've enjoyed and missed your refreshingly honest posts about sewing. Life is a balance of bitter and sweet and it's the doses of bitter that bring the sweet into clarity. I hope your sweet returns with a quickness.

Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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